Emily
@emmaleeh.bsky.social
Retired academic librarian in CT, now working with incarcerated folks earning their college degrees inside. @UCLA Bruin, baker, 🌍 traveler and wannabe 🥁-er.
Reposted by Emily
Ötzi and a 45,000-year-old Siberian were both infected with a cancer-causing strain of HPV.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
Two ancient humans, including famed ‘Iceman,’ had cancer-causing virus
Findings from ancient DNA may shed light on HPV’s history in our species
www.science.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Ötzi and a 45,000-year-old Siberian were both infected with a cancer-causing strain of HPV.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
This is fascinating, and a reminder that we have a vaccine that *prevents cancer* and everyone eligible should get it.
Reposted by Emily
LA wildfires public health impacts:
What is the main finding?
Local residents experienced a 24% excess in pulmonary illness, a 46% excess in myocardial infarction, and a 118% excess in systemic illness requiring emergency medical attention.
What is the main finding?
Local residents experienced a 24% excess in pulmonary illness, a 46% excess in myocardial infarction, and a 118% excess in systemic illness requiring emergency medical attention.
December 18, 2025 at 11:20 PM
LA wildfires public health impacts:
What is the main finding?
Local residents experienced a 24% excess in pulmonary illness, a 46% excess in myocardial infarction, and a 118% excess in systemic illness requiring emergency medical attention.
What is the main finding?
Local residents experienced a 24% excess in pulmonary illness, a 46% excess in myocardial infarction, and a 118% excess in systemic illness requiring emergency medical attention.
Reposted by Emily
If you listen to Dodgers games on the radio or drive on CA freeways you’re constantly exposed to ads about child health services that are free for all kids under 5 in California. I had no idea that program started with Rob Reiner pushing for it, then doing the work.
December 15, 2025 at 5:19 PM
If you listen to Dodgers games on the radio or drive on CA freeways you’re constantly exposed to ads about child health services that are free for all kids under 5 in California. I had no idea that program started with Rob Reiner pushing for it, then doing the work.
Reposted by Emily
The Trump admin has paused all immigration and naturalization processes for people from one of the 19 travel ban countries; including Cuba and Venezuela.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Scoop: The Trump administration has paused all immigration applications filed by people from 19 countries banned from travel to the United States earlier this year, halting green card and U.S. citizenship processing for broad swaths of people.
More coming soon.
More coming soon.
December 2, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The Trump admin has paused all immigration and naturalization processes for people from one of the 19 travel ban countries; including Cuba and Venezuela.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Even people who fully passed the citizenship exam are having their cases put on hold, just inches from the finish line.
Reposted by Emily
libraries afford many opportunities for this kind of serendipitous discovery too! 📚
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Bookselling is like the most "people go to the store and buy what looks cool to them without a particular agenda" type business left, and your purchases have a huge influence on what is ordered, what is displayed, and what is recommended.
November 30, 2025 at 1:39 PM
libraries afford many opportunities for this kind of serendipitous discovery too! 📚
Reposted by Emily
Thrilled to share that Chris Duncan, whose conviction was vacated in April, was just granted bail today, after spending over 25 years on Louisiana's death row.
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
In January 2024 I got a one-line email from a woman I didn't know: "Jimmie Duncan an innocent man on death row is looking to get into contact with you."
I've been working on the story ever since. Here it is, finally - a @motherjones.com / @bolts.bsky.social feature: boltsmag.org/the-human-co...
I've been working on the story ever since. Here it is, finally - a @motherjones.com / @bolts.bsky.social feature: boltsmag.org/the-human-co...
The Human Cost of Jeff Landry’s Drive to Resume Executions - Bolts
Chris Duncan’s death sentence—built on the testimony of two discredited doctors—illustrates just how faulty the system can be.
boltsmag.org
November 22, 2025 at 1:15 AM
Thrilled to share that Chris Duncan, whose conviction was vacated in April, was just granted bail today, after spending over 25 years on Louisiana's death row.
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
It's so rare to get good news when you're covering capital punishment, but this is one very real light in the darkness
Reposted by Emily
You can see the archive of reporting here, but effectively the org has a long history of treating incarcerated writers horribly and taking credit for work @penamerica.bsky.social actually had no hand in producing.
PEN America Archives - Prism
prismreports.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:52 PM
You can see the archive of reporting here, but effectively the org has a long history of treating incarcerated writers horribly and taking credit for work @penamerica.bsky.social actually had no hand in producing.
Reposted by Emily
yes, you have a right to privacy in the library! the mission of public libraries is to afford everyone, in the broadest sense of the word, free access to the products of culture, in the broadest sense of the word—where “free” means both “you don’t have to pay” and “you are left the fuck alone.” 📚
November 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
yes, you have a right to privacy in the library! the mission of public libraries is to afford everyone, in the broadest sense of the word, free access to the products of culture, in the broadest sense of the word—where “free” means both “you don’t have to pay” and “you are left the fuck alone.” 📚
Upset in Ansonia #NutmegSky valley.newhavenindependent.org/2025/11/04/u...
UPSET IN ANSONIA, TYSKA DEFEATS CASSETTI - Valley Independent Sentinel
ANSONIA — Democrat Frank Tyska declared victory over Republican incumbent Mayor David Cassetti Nov. 4. The incumbent mayor conceded in a speech made a short time later. This story will be updated.
valley.newhavenindependent.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Upset in Ansonia #NutmegSky valley.newhavenindependent.org/2025/11/04/u...
Reposted by Emily
To local grocery stores and restaurants, don’t throw out your overstock!
The state of CT passed protections to protect you from any liability on donations.
We can have volunteers pick up overstock & donate them to families in need. Write it off both as a loss & donation!
Please reach out or email
The state of CT passed protections to protect you from any liability on donations.
We can have volunteers pick up overstock & donate them to families in need. Write it off both as a loss & donation!
Please reach out or email
November 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
To local grocery stores and restaurants, don’t throw out your overstock!
The state of CT passed protections to protect you from any liability on donations.
We can have volunteers pick up overstock & donate them to families in need. Write it off both as a loss & donation!
Please reach out or email
The state of CT passed protections to protect you from any liability on donations.
We can have volunteers pick up overstock & donate them to families in need. Write it off both as a loss & donation!
Please reach out or email
Reposted by Emily
I am so upset.
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
To be asked to write about racism only to be racially aggressed in the editing process is a new level unlocked I have to say.
November 3, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I am so upset.
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Last week Time Magazine solicited a piece from me on Zohran Mamdani & anti-Muslim hate. I pitched a framing re the dehumanization of Muslims & how Mamdani’s inclusive, socialist campaign in its content resists that. They agreed. I wrote the piece. 1/
Reposted by Emily
worth noting that the University of Chicago budget cuts mean they are abruptly shutting down their prison education program chicagomaroon.com/48983/viewpo...
Slashing Beyond Prisons Is a Political Choice
The University’s budget cuts to the Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture will end the educational initiative by the end of the quarter.
chicagomaroon.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:21 PM
worth noting that the University of Chicago budget cuts mean they are abruptly shutting down their prison education program chicagomaroon.com/48983/viewpo...
Reposted by Emily
The Gleaner writes that the Jamaican ambassador in Washington is coordinating relief efforts. The article also says the NY consulate is coordinating donations in New York.
jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead...
jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead...
Jamaica’s ambassador in US coordinating relief efforts for island
Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Major General (ret’d) Antony Anderson is working with members of the diaspora to coordinated disaster relief effort in anticipation of the impact of Hurricane Melissa on the island. Anderson is scheduled...
jamaica-gleaner.com
October 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
The Gleaner writes that the Jamaican ambassador in Washington is coordinating relief efforts. The article also says the NY consulate is coordinating donations in New York.
jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead...
jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead...
Reposted by Emily
PRE-ORDER WEDNESDAY!! ❤️🔥 Pre-order the 2nd printing of The House Archives Built & Other Thoughts on Black Archival Possibilities by @dorothyjberry.bsky.social starting Wednesday, 10/29, 3p Eastern USA. www.weherepress.org
October 28, 2025 at 12:26 AM
PRE-ORDER WEDNESDAY!! ❤️🔥 Pre-order the 2nd printing of The House Archives Built & Other Thoughts on Black Archival Possibilities by @dorothyjberry.bsky.social starting Wednesday, 10/29, 3p Eastern USA. www.weherepress.org
Reposted by Emily
SNAP benefits are about to lapse because of the shutdown. Reminders:
1. About 1 in 2 children will receive SNAP benefits at some point and 1 in 4 children are receiving benefits in a given month.
2. Trump is already planning to cut SNAP in other ways.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
1. About 1 in 2 children will receive SNAP benefits at some point and 1 in 4 children are receiving benefits in a given month.
2. Trump is already planning to cut SNAP in other ways.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
The Big Beautiful Bill has a SNAP Poison Pill
How states will get the blame for massive cuts to food stamps
donmoynihan.substack.com
October 26, 2025 at 3:51 PM
SNAP benefits are about to lapse because of the shutdown. Reminders:
1. About 1 in 2 children will receive SNAP benefits at some point and 1 in 4 children are receiving benefits in a given month.
2. Trump is already planning to cut SNAP in other ways.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
1. About 1 in 2 children will receive SNAP benefits at some point and 1 in 4 children are receiving benefits in a given month.
2. Trump is already planning to cut SNAP in other ways.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-big-be...
Reposted by Emily
Librarians or others, would you like a helpful one-pager zine that you can print to let people know how to report ICE?
Available for Chicago, DC, Philly, Portland, NYC, CA, CO, FL, DE, MA, MD, RI, VA, WA, WI, WY & other metro areas. Thanks @meganpiont.bsky.social
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Available for Chicago, DC, Philly, Portland, NYC, CA, CO, FL, DE, MA, MD, RI, VA, WA, WI, WY & other metro areas. Thanks @meganpiont.bsky.social
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
SALUTE zines **BE SURE TO PRINT AT 100%!** - Google Drive
drive.google.com
October 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Librarians or others, would you like a helpful one-pager zine that you can print to let people know how to report ICE?
Available for Chicago, DC, Philly, Portland, NYC, CA, CO, FL, DE, MA, MD, RI, VA, WA, WI, WY & other metro areas. Thanks @meganpiont.bsky.social
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Available for Chicago, DC, Philly, Portland, NYC, CA, CO, FL, DE, MA, MD, RI, VA, WA, WI, WY & other metro areas. Thanks @meganpiont.bsky.social
drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Reposted by Emily
One thing I’ve observed in recent wks: it’s important, even for public-facing political education — re: democratic process, civic institutions, etc — to *cite your sources*; citation is a political practice and it acknwldges the value of the resources your work builds upon, + which need support too!
October 19, 2025 at 6:51 PM
One thing I’ve observed in recent wks: it’s important, even for public-facing political education — re: democratic process, civic institutions, etc — to *cite your sources*; citation is a political practice and it acknwldges the value of the resources your work builds upon, + which need support too!
Reposted by Emily
If you were out in the streets today, thanks. If you left feeling inspired, please seek out local ways that you can keep organizing with others.
October 18, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you were out in the streets today, thanks. If you left feeling inspired, please seek out local ways that you can keep organizing with others.
Reposted by Emily
Recap of the pedestrian deaths in CT during September (and earlier) that engineers could've chosen to prevent.
Drivers have killed 43 pedestrians/cyclists so far this year in Connecticut.
www.realhartford.org/2025/10/12/s...
Drivers have killed 43 pedestrians/cyclists so far this year in Connecticut.
www.realhartford.org/2025/10/12/s...
October 12, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Recap of the pedestrian deaths in CT during September (and earlier) that engineers could've chosen to prevent.
Drivers have killed 43 pedestrians/cyclists so far this year in Connecticut.
www.realhartford.org/2025/10/12/s...
Drivers have killed 43 pedestrians/cyclists so far this year in Connecticut.
www.realhartford.org/2025/10/12/s...
Reposted by Emily
Welcome to Opt Out October, our collection of tips to slowly break free from online surveillance and throw sand in the gears of overreaching large tech companies. Today’s tip is about establishing good online security fundamentals. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Opt Out October: Daily Tips to Protect Your Privacy and Security
Trying to take control of your online privacy can feel like a full-time job. But if you break it up into small tasks and take on one project at a time it makes the process of protecting your privacy
www.eff.org
October 1, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Welcome to Opt Out October, our collection of tips to slowly break free from online surveillance and throw sand in the gears of overreaching large tech companies. Today’s tip is about establishing good online security fundamentals. www.eff.org/deeplinks/2...
Reposted by Emily
“What you have accomplished here flies in the face of all the assumptions and stereotypes that have been heaped upon you,” Gov. Pritzker said. "To that I say: Don’t ever stop defying those expectations."
First Class of Incarcerated Students Earn Degrees From Northwestern University
Dignitaries turned out for the commencement ceremony honoring 16 men who earned bachelor’s degrees from Northwestern University through the Northwestern Prison Education Program.
prisonjournalismproject.org
August 28, 2025 at 3:25 AM
“What you have accomplished here flies in the face of all the assumptions and stereotypes that have been heaped upon you,” Gov. Pritzker said. "To that I say: Don’t ever stop defying those expectations."
Reposted by Emily
A number of people who have read "Let This Radicalize You" are unaware that we made numerous resources and tools to accompany the book. You can find all of them here including a workbook, discussion guide, zines and more. www.interruptingcriminalization.com/resources-al...
Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care — Interrupting Criminalization
What fuels and sustains activism and organizing when it feels like our worlds are collapsing? Let This Radicalize You by Kely Hayes and Mariame Kaba is a practical and imaginative resource for activis...
www.interruptingcriminalization.com
August 15, 2025 at 4:56 PM
A number of people who have read "Let This Radicalize You" are unaware that we made numerous resources and tools to accompany the book. You can find all of them here including a workbook, discussion guide, zines and more. www.interruptingcriminalization.com/resources-al...
Reposted by Emily
A rule of thumb for tsunamis is that in open ocean, they move at similar speeds to commercial airliners. If you're ever curious how long it would take for a tsunami to get from one place to another, look up the duration of a similar-length flight.
July 30, 2025 at 1:38 AM
A rule of thumb for tsunamis is that in open ocean, they move at similar speeds to commercial airliners. If you're ever curious how long it would take for a tsunami to get from one place to another, look up the duration of a similar-length flight.
Reposted by Emily
Rümeysa Öztürk describes the library in the prison where she was held for 45 days for co-authoring an op-ed
July 17, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Rümeysa Öztürk describes the library in the prison where she was held for 45 days for co-authoring an op-ed
Reposted by Emily
NEW: The FCC under Biden passed rules to make phone calls from prison easier, to help keep people connected to their communities.
Trump's FCC has now blocked that change.
Phillip Smith, a man incarcerated in North Carolina, reports for Bolts on what this means for people behind bars:
Trump's FCC has now blocked that change.
Phillip Smith, a man incarcerated in North Carolina, reports for Bolts on what this means for people behind bars:
Priced Out of Phone Calls Home - Bolts
The FCC blocked Biden-era limits on the exorbitant rates and fees charged by prison telecom companies, leaving incarcerated people and their families to fight for state-level reforms.
boltsmag.org
July 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM
NEW: The FCC under Biden passed rules to make phone calls from prison easier, to help keep people connected to their communities.
Trump's FCC has now blocked that change.
Phillip Smith, a man incarcerated in North Carolina, reports for Bolts on what this means for people behind bars:
Trump's FCC has now blocked that change.
Phillip Smith, a man incarcerated in North Carolina, reports for Bolts on what this means for people behind bars: